The Pentagon is preparing a range of options for President Obama, which include air
strikes. They are designed to help Iraq deal with the Islamic State in Iraq and the
Levant, or ISIL. ISIL, which is outnumbered 100-1 by Iraqi forces, have marched
unimpeded to Baghdad's doorstep. Obama described them as "vicious" and a "terrorist
organization" that could eventually pose a threat to Americans.

Counter-terrorism is a key tenet of President Barack Obama's foreign policy plan going forward. He said in a speech at West Point on Wednesday, "the most direct threat to America at home and abroad remains terrorism. But a strategy that involves invading every country that harbors terrorist networks is na´ve and unsustainable." His plan is to advise and assist countries facing significant terrorism threats and help build the capacity to deal with threats on their own.

President Barack Obama has announced that 9800 troops will be left behind next year
when all combat troops pull out of Afghanistan. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel
said in a statement, "I strongly support the president's
decision to maintain a
limited U.S. troop presence in Afghanistan after our combat mission ends there later
this year." Hagel said the move will do two things: "it will help ensure that al-Qaida cannot reconstitute itself in Afghanistan, and it will help us sustain the
significant progress we have made in training and equipping the Afghan national
security forces."